Major fire breaks out at construction site, kills 6

A major fire broke out on Wednesday night due to back to back gas cylinder blasts inside an under-construction building which killed six people, a police officer said.

Juhu police registered an FIR against the builder and the persons responsible for the blast. Moreover, primary investigations confirmed that the gas cylinders were purchased through illegal black market.

The fire which broke out at 'Prarthana' building at Vile Parle — an under-construction project undertaken by the Kabra builders and developers — had 37 persons living inside it. Five families of labourers had built makeshift tents on the ground floor. At around 10 pm, a cylinder blast took place which killed six persons including two children of labourers identified as Tasleema Mulla,12, Shagun Gautam, 3, and also a woman, identified as Saira Mulla, 33.

"We found four illegal gas cylinders from the spot. The builder is responsible to ensure that no illegal activities take place inside their premises and being the employer, the builder should have ensured the safety of the employees," said a senior police officer.

"The fire brigade team and the police officer rescued 13 persons. Seven other persons were given primary treatment and were discharged from the hospital," said the officer.

"We have asked the Fire Brigade department to submit its report and we are yet to make the arrests in the case and are investigating further," said Ghosalkar.